Cardinals and Wolfpack win 2022 "Holiday Classic" title

The 2022 "Holiday Classic" annual baseball tournament hosted by MSBL National was held last weekend at the Space Coast Stadium Complex in Viera, Florida.

Three BMBL-based teams made the trip south to compete in the 3-day event, including the Boston Cardinals, Boston Wolfpack, and New England Havoc.

The Boston Cardinals entered the 2022 tournament with two Holiday Classic championships (2015, 2017) under their belt and left with a third, taking home the 30+ American Division title with a 6-3 win over the NY Blazers in the championship game.

Juan Mendoza picked up the complete-game win for the Cards, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits to go along with nine K's.

Overall, the 3-time Holiday Classic champs pounded out 30 runs in the tournament and posted a 3-1-1 record. Vic Arroyo was named the team's MVP.

Playing in their 22nd Holiday Classic tournament, the Boston Wolfpack cruised through pool play with a perfect 3-0 record in the 54+ National Division, earning a spot in the Semifinals against the 2-1 Jacksonville Hops.

In the semis, the Hops quickly put up five runs to begin the game without making an out, and added another run in the 2nd to take an early 6-0 lead.

With the Wolfpack's tournament life in jeopardy, pitcher Sam Steed entered the game in relief, and limited the Hops to just four hits over the next six innings, while the Wolfpack offense exploded for 14 runs and eventually came back to win the game 14-7.

The Wolfpack moved on to the championship game where the offense remained red hot, behind a 4-hit game from Mike Smith and timely hits from Eddie Fuller, Oliver, Nieves, and Benedict.

The Pack rolled to an 11-3 win over the Mustang Baseball Club, taking home the 54+ National Division championship, and the franchise's 19th overall Holiday Classic title. Steed was named the tournament MVP.

The New England Havoc, last year's Holiday Classic champions in the 30+ American division, made a deep run in the 2022 tournament but ultimately fell short in their bid to pull off the repeat.

Trailing 11-1 in the 9th inning of their semifinal matchup with the NY Blazers, the defending champions put up eight runs and nearly pulled off a miracle comeback, losing 11-9 with the tying run stranded on second. The Havoc finished the tournament with a 2-1 record.

Overall, the three Boston teams combined to go 10-2-1 (.807 Win %) in the 2022 Holiday Classic tournament.

Be sure to check out the articles posted on the MSBL National website, listed below.

• Boston Cardinals win 2022 Holiday Classic in 30+ American division (MSBL National)
• Boston Wolfpack wins 2022 Holiday Classic in 54+ National Division (MSBL National)